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Old 03-05-2014, 11:15 AM   #51
Omni003k
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You can buy a new pinion valve, the complete assembly, for $250, if you are somewhat mechanically inclined and have some tools, jack, and jack stands you can do this in your driveway in a few hours, if that. The valve assembly is what leaks, the rest of the rack is fine. The hardest part of the fix is not stripping the PS line fittings. It is alot easier to buy a whole new rack, but it will be pricey for a new one, and I don't trust re manufactured ones.
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:57 PM   #52
LoveMyNewSoob
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I am just now dealing with this one too! 09 STi with 65K (I did two track days last year). I went to the dealership last weekend and they quoted me $1200 for a new rack!!!
I did just find this thread though and the picture is pretty much exactly how mine looks.

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/warranty...aks-badly.html

There is a local Subaru specialist near, so I am hoping they can fix the problem cheaper.
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Old 03-11-2014, 07:40 PM   #53
l3ighead
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Ordered one from RockAuto.com I believe it was a A1 Cardone refurbished rack. Its only been a day so far no issues. I read negative reviews about the company along with good ones. So far its holding up well. Cost was $370 will be getting $115 for core return. =
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Old 04-03-2014, 11:07 AM   #54
Lindyn11
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2011 WRX (49,700 mi)

Noticed the leak while performing 50k service. Slow leak at the input valve on the rack. Keeping fluid topped until I take it in.
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:49 PM   #55
silverbullet830
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My 2010 wrx started leaking at about 45k miles about a year and a half ago when I was in Alaska. At the worst I had to top it off about every 3 or 4 days. As of a few months ago (now at 61k) its actually slowed down to only filling it every 2 or 3 weeks lol. I think I will go with a reman rack off ebay most likely. A lot of people say they don't trust the rebuilt ones compared to factory, but I mean seriously look at how many failures the stock units are having. I'd rather have a lifetime warranty.
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Old 04-30-2014, 02:02 PM   #56
l3ighead
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I would look into rockauto.com I ordered from them and replaced mine about 2 months no issues as of yet.
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Old 05-14-2014, 03:46 PM   #57
TuningIsLife
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Mine was groaning at about 60k. Replaced under my extended warranty.
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Old 05-22-2014, 06:32 PM   #58
Coldcat83
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When you guys say your steering was whining was it the actual pump or the pulley freezing and causing the belt to screech? I replaced my pump a couple months ago because my pulley would just stop spinning and cause my belt to scream. Now the same problem is back, New fluid, No leaks (lines, Pump, Rack) anyone else experience this as opposed to the actual pump whine like the fluid is low? Any help is appreciated.
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Old 05-29-2014, 11:06 AM   #59
gsrcrxsi
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i had this happen to me (pinion valve leak) at around 70 or 80k. i babied it for 10-20,000mi by just keeping the fluid topped off. replaced the pinion valve myself for about $250.
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Old 06-27-2014, 12:44 AM   #60
coolrunningsmon
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Just dug up this thread. 2011 STi with 90k (Kms) and same issue. Out of standard warranty, but surprisingly the dealer goodwilled it with a new rack.
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Old 08-21-2014, 04:18 PM   #61
W_R_X_09
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09 wrx 75-80k miles and its getting pretty bad now, replacing it soon ordered a refurbished rack and pinion off ebay
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Old 08-21-2014, 06:52 PM   #62
sc00by4life
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I have a suspicion this is whats happening with my 07 FXT.

Experienced the whine and air in the lines. Replaced all clamps from the lines to and from reservoir as well as the o-ring on the top of the pump. Whine went away, no more air.

About a week later it started whining again. No visible bubbles (though doesn't mean there isn't air somewhere), all lines on the top of the engine bay looked fine. Did a trans flush last weekend and noticed fluid on the subframe, appears to be leaking somewhere around the rack close to the transmission.
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Old 08-22-2014, 04:49 PM   #63
Betowrx1
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Just had the steering rack replaced yesterday under extended warranty with 68,500 miles. Only thing is that it requires an alignment, and the warranty wouldn't cover it. They gave me a deal $79.99 to get that taken cared of.
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Old 09-02-2014, 09:06 PM   #64
g-Know
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Looks like my 09' has fallen victim to this as well. I have to say it's pretty upsetting to think that this thing went out with only 80k, although I can see other have had it worse.

I'm still contemplating on whether to attempt to replace this myself and have been looking for DIYs online, but have not came across any. If anyone has a link they can share, it'd be appreciated.
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:54 PM   #65
Leadfootin
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Try Carquest power steering fluid! Worked on my Bentley Turbo R which has much worse power steering problems - a large percentage of the cars made 90-98. Don't know why but worked far better than anything else reducing leak to a very low level.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:55 PM   #66
CWest
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Just had my power steering rack replaced under extended warranty same story as the others here. Im at 38k miles and just had to have this done last week.
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Old 09-22-2014, 05:08 PM   #67
boxer10
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Just had my rack and pinion replaced this last weekend.
09 STi w/ 64k miles.
Called SOA, no help. Dealer didnt offer any help or discounts either, but they were obviously overjoyed to take my money!
First thing he says to me after the diagnosis, "If you had the extended warranty, this would be covered." What a jackhole...
In addition, I had the fluid serviced by another dealer about 3 weeks prior and they didnt offer any help either.

I got the parts back and will have it rebuilt locally so I have it to replace when this happens again. Apparently, once you're out of warranty, SOA is pretty reluctant to offer goodwill. This is the 1st and probably last subie I will own... and definitely last time the car goes to the dealer!
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:52 PM   #68
Belaruss
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boxer10 View Post
Just had my rack and pinion replaced this last weekend.
09 STi w/ 64k miles.
Called SOA, no help. Dealer didnt offer any help or discounts either, but they were obviously overjoyed to take my money!
First thing he says to me after the diagnosis, "If you had the extended warranty, this would be covered." What a jackhole...
In addition, I had the fluid serviced by another dealer about 3 weeks prior and they didnt offer any help either.

I got the parts back and will have it rebuilt locally so I have it to replace when this happens again. Apparently, once you're out of warranty, SOA is pretty reluctant to offer goodwill. This is the 1st and probably last subie I will own... and definitely last time the car goes to the dealer!
I completely feel your pain on this issue. Mine started leaking this spring and I was out of warranty. As I found out myself SOA is useless once you're out of warranty, they won't admit that it's a design flaw like some other things.

Like a few others I didn't want to pay the crazy dealer cost for the rack, mine was quoting me $1600 actually for the whole job... So I got a rebuilt one from RockAuto. That saved me quite a bit of money, but I also sent my old rack back to get the core money...I should not have done that.

As I came to find out two weekends ago, the rebuilt A1 Cadone rack lost the the clips on the driver side boot and that thing shredded, and the passenger side boot popped a big rip in the middle. I think this happened in the last month as I put about 2000 miles on it driving back and forth between Tulsa and Houston while moving down. So i had to have both of those replaced, Again...

So the moral of my story is WHEN your pinion valve starts leaking, and you want to save a bit of money with the A1 rebuilt rack, triple check all the clips on the rubber boots. If you're having a shop do the install, have the mechanics check it over as well before mounting it on the car. AND last but not least KEEP all the receipts and warranty information for the rebuilt rack because you just might need it sooner rather than later.

This whole experience, in conjunction with the squeak of death from the clutch pedal/firewall, the squeaky dash, and the long "moaning" seat has completely turned me off my Subaru. It was my dream car when I was growing up in the 90's, when the 2004 STi hit the states I couldn't get enough of it's looks and power. I told myself then that when I get a good job and can afford one, I'm getting a Subaru. I got my WRX New and I loved it's quirkiness and awesome power but as I've lived with it for the last 5 years, I'm beginning to lose faith in it and the brand. All these problems seemed to be hitting me all at once and just after I went out of warranty too. It's just too much for a car that new. I know I might be mostly alone in this kind of situation but it's just too much. I have a 27 year old car that doesn't squeak as much as my 5 year old one...it shouldn't be that way.

Sorry for the wall of text.
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Old 09-24-2014, 07:37 PM   #69
boxer10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Belaruss View Post
I completely feel your pain on this issue. Mine started leaking this spring and I was out of warranty. As I found out myself SOA is useless once you're out of warranty, they won't admit that it's a design flaw like some other things.

Like a few others I didn't want to pay the crazy dealer cost for the rack, mine was quoting me $1600 actually for the whole job... So I got a rebuilt one from RockAuto. That saved me quite a bit of money, but I also sent my old rack back to get the core money...I should not have done that.

As I came to find out two weekends ago, the rebuilt A1 Cadone rack lost the the clips on the driver side boot and that thing shredded, and the passenger side boot popped a big rip in the middle. I think this happened in the last month as I put about 2000 miles on it driving back and forth between Tulsa and Houston while moving down. So i had to have both of those replaced, Again...

So the moral of my story is WHEN your pinion valve starts leaking, and you want to save a bit of money with the A1 rebuilt rack, triple check all the clips on the rubber boots. If you're having a shop do the install, have the mechanics check it over as well before mounting it on the car. AND last but not least KEEP all the receipts and warranty information for the rebuilt rack because you just might need it sooner rather than later.

This whole experience, in conjunction with the squeak of death from the clutch pedal/firewall, the squeaky dash, and the long "moaning" seat has completely turned me off my Subaru. It was my dream car when I was growing up in the 90's, when the 2004 STi hit the states I couldn't get enough of it's looks and power. I told myself then that when I get a good job and can afford one, I'm getting a Subaru. I got my WRX New and I loved it's quirkiness and awesome power but as I've lived with it for the last 5 years, I'm beginning to lose faith in it and the brand. All these problems seemed to be hitting me all at once and just after I went out of warranty too. It's just too much for a car that new. I know I might be mostly alone in this kind of situation but it's just too much. I have a 27 year old car that doesn't squeak as much as my 5 year old one...it shouldn't be that way.

Sorry for the wall of text.
Sorry to hear about your troubles as well. I considered getting an aftermarket unit from RockAuto too, but was a little concerned about putting a non-OE part for something this critical. Hell, at half the price of the OEM unit, why not?!?! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for aftermarket parts due to price, but there are some parts out there that are sub-OE quality and fit. I've been around cars long enough to experience quite the range of crap out there. In the near dozen or so cars I've had this is the first time I've had a rack and pinion go out on me.

I'm still smarting from the recent pocket raping i just received, but in the big picture this was the 1st major repair I've had aside from the usual wear and tear items so I suppose it isnt a terribly bad track record for a 5 year old car.

But I feel your pain that a lot of this stuff hits the fan at once. In the next couple of months I get to look forward to battery and clutch replacements! oooh fun!!!

On top of everything, this is the most un-modded car I've had. every other car I've had was lowered and abused, etc!!!

hopefully, i can find a good rack and pinion shop to inspect and perhaps improve on the design of the original and prevent this from happening for a much longer time!!

any recommendations in the So Cal area from the experts here on the forums?
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Old 10-26-2014, 05:16 PM   #70
EPME
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09 WRX 50XXX miles. Have to fill the power steering ressivoir every week. Taking it in this coming week. SO glad I bought the extended warranty. Which, I never do.
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Old 10-26-2014, 08:57 PM   #71
Knotsure
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FWIW - buddies STI = same thing with the rack. Apparently Subaru's extended warranty covered his alignment too as a resultant damage thing. Check your contract if your told you are told you have to pay for anything over and above.
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Old 12-04-2014, 06:34 PM   #72
dsak777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pretendingtowork View Post
They have two listed, is there a difference?

This is the other one listed:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-2011-Su...f5e4e1&vxp=mtr

You said the legacy one has longer tie ends. Is this one an exact match to OE? Only 6 buys on that, the legacy one had 55 sold. Wondering if that matters. Thanks
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Old 12-15-2014, 02:05 PM   #73
rasecm1
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Hey, so I have 65k on my rex, and I have the leak mentioned above... Is there anyway to reseal the valve on the rack? I dont think I would like to buy an entire new rack for a darn seal.
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:39 PM   #74
kingsalami
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Damn...another victim - '09 WRX with 81K miles.
Is this just a coincidence, or what?
I just fixed the cold-weather power steering moan by swapping out the pump inlet O-ring, and replaced the PS fluid with Valvoline Dextron III. Two weeks later...the damn pinion valve where the input shaft goes in is leaking! This can't be a coincidence!
Oh well, I guess I'll get a pinion valve on order...or has anyone found a way to swap out the O-ring at the pinion valve input shaft?

Last edited by kingsalami; 02-19-2015 at 11:17 AM.
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:49 PM   #75
sc00by4life
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingsalami View Post
Damn...another victim - '09 WRX with 86K miles.
Is this just a coincidence, or what?
I just fixed the cold-weather power steering moan by swapping out the pump inlet O-ring, and replaced the PS fluid with Valvoline Dextron III. Two weeks later...the damn pinion valve where the input shaft goes in is leaking! This can't be a coincidence!
Oh well, I guess I'll get a pinion valve on order...or has anyone found a way to swap out the O-ring at the pinion valve input shaft?
From what I understand, if the pinion valve is leaking, you have to replace the rack.
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